Pat died today at the age of 45. He had purchased a variable annuity five years ago for a single premium of $25,000, but his account balance stood at $40,000 at the time of his death due to investment gains over the last five years. The insurer paid Pat's beneficiary a death benefit equal to $31,907 ($25,000 plus 5 percent interest per year over the 5-year period). This type of death benefit is known as a: guaranteed death benefit stepped-up death benefit O enhanced earning benefit Orising-floor death benefit